A train carrying crude oil
crosses West Avenue on the south side of Waukesha on
Monday. Charles Auer/Freeman Staff

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Tammy
Baldwin, D-Wisconsin, and several other senators
introduced legislation to help increase safety standards
for trains hauling volatile crude oil in an effort to
better protect Americans and the communities in which
they live and work located near railroad tracks.

“As more and more volatile crude oil moves through
Wisconsin and through our country via rail it is
critical that appropriate safety measures are in place
to reduce the risk of deadly accidents,” Baldwin said in
a statement.

“I’m proud to join Senators Cantwell, Feinstein and
Murray in introducing legislation that takes immediate
action to phase out the most dangerous tank cars
carrying crude oil through our communities and I am
hopeful our colleagues in the Senate will join us to
prevent future oil train tragedies from occurring as we
work to increase safety and efficiency along America’s
railways.”

According to Wednesday’s announcement, the bill would
require the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration to draft new regulations for mitigating
volatility of gases in crude oil shipped via tank car
and immediately halt use of older-model tank cars shown
to be at high risk for puncturing and catching fire in
derailments.

Concern has increased nationally and internationally as
several instances of trains carrying oil have exploded,
including in Quebec and North Dakota. Many communities
in Wisconsin have railroad tracks cutting through them,
such as Waukesha and Oconomowoc.

“Every new derailment increases the urgency with which
we need to act,” Cantwell, ranking member on the Senate
Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said in a
statement.

“Communities in Washington state and across the nation
see hundreds of these oil tank cars pass through each
week. This legislation will help reduce the risk of
explosion in accidents, take unsafe tank cars off the
tracks, and ensure first responders have the equipment
they need.”

Baldwin sent a letter to President Barack Obama earlier
this month, urging his administration to take “immediate
action and issue final guidance to address oil train
safety,” according to the announcement.